Veteran NASCAR driver Ryan Newman is set to make his comeback in the NASCAR Truck Series this summer, slated to take the wheel of the No. 25 Ram for Kaulig Racing on July 18 at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway.
The appearance marks Newman’s first competitive outing since 2023 and adds a marquee name to a lineup that has already featured a parade of former champions and rising stars, from Tony Stewart to Kyle Busch.
A legacy truck returns to the track
The Ram 25 that Newman will drive carries the badge of a brand that last competed in NASCAR over a decade ago, reviving a partnership that brings the Ram name back to the series through Kaulig Racing’s program.
Kaulig Racing, a team co‑owned by former driver and current owner Brian Keselowski’s ally, has positioned the No. 25 as a platform for both veteran talent and emerging drivers, a strategy that has already seen names such as Travis Pastrana, Clint Bowyer and AJ Allmendinger behind the wheel earlier this season.
The race will be broadcast live on FS1 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time, giving millions of fans a chance to watch Newman’s return alongside a field that includes Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin and the ever‑dominant Kyle Busch.
Newman’s résumé reads like a chapter of NASCAR lore: 18 Cup Series victories, a 2008 Daytona 500 triumph, a 2013 Brickyard 400 win, and a place on the sport’s 75‑greatest‑drivers list, all earned while piloting Dodge machinery during a period many consider the modern era of American stock car racing.
His recovery from the horrific crash in the 2020 Daytona 500, which left him hospitalized but ultimately walking out of the medical center two days later, has become a testament to his resilience and has only deepened the admiration of fans and peers alike.
Beyond his on‑track achievements, Newman’s presence signals a bridge between eras, linking the Dodge‑era legends with the current generation of drivers who now compete for sponsors ranging from Ram to Ford, Chevrolet and beyond.